The proceeds of his father's successful trade lay temporarily invested, awaiting Alec's decision, and his own share would probably be ample to tide the college over any such shock to its income as might be feared from the circumstances they had been contemplating, and until public confidence might be laboriously regained.

The plan was not one that would have occurred to his own mind--first, because the suggestions of his mind were always prudent; secondly, because such a fight was shocking to that part of his nature which was usually uppermost.

It would be far more agreeable to him to turn away from the averted eyes of correct taste than to stand brazenly till he was again tolerated.

Still, this very thing he disliked most might be the thing that he was meant to do, and also there is nothing more contagious than the passion for war.
Alec's bellicose attitude aroused party spirit in him.

He knew the power of money; he knew the power of the prestige he had; he began to realise that he could do this thing if he chose.
"You are a piece of consummate conceit," he mocked.